Tell us why donating blood is such an important cause to you personally. I become involved with The American Red Cross after I got into a bad accident in 2001 and I needed 100 units of blood. I needed so much that they just gave me whatever blood type they had on hand and The American Red Cross supplied my hospital. When I go back over my story, there are a lot of numbers: I was on the table twice. I was in a coma for 6 weeks. They operated on me 3 or 4 times in the first 24 hours. But the number that’s most important to me is the 100 units of blood. Without it I wouldn’t be here. I want to get out the word that if you can donate, you should. Did you give blood before your accident? I did not donate before then, actually. Now I go with my two boys. It’s something that the family should do together. Make it a tradition. You can donate every 52 days. NexcareGive.com helps you find a blood center near you. Any tips for first-timers? You do get lightheaded, so eat a good meal and hydrate. Take a book or a magazine. You might also bring a friend. It takes about a half hour, but the technicians are gentle and then it’s over. You feel so good afterward because you are saving lives. To motivate you, keep in mind that 6 million people alone this year are going to need a transfusion. And what really hits me is that someone needs blood every 2 seconds. 1, 2. 1, 2. If we can get just 1% more of Americans to donate, the shortages would disappear. And The Red Cross also gives blood to our soldiers so it’s helping them as well. Because you’re such a legendary beauty, we have to ask: Next to your bandages, what beauty products will we find in your purse? Definitely my Two Faced Primed & Poreless Skin Smoothing Face Primer. It’s the best for every skin tone and color and so smooth, you don’t even need makeup on over it. And I love MAC Dazzleglass Lipglass because it’s sticky enough that it really lasts.
